FUNDATEC was set up on May 21, 1990 in the Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty of the National University of Technology (Argentina) and for more than ten years has been performing tasks providing technological and academic links and support in direct relation to the local and regional environment.

The Foundation has recognized the importance of patent documents as development tools, for which reason it has worked in this area for a number of years, and its work has led to the creation of the Patent Information Service (SIP) which carries out tasks for the promotion and fostering of technological innovation, technology transfer and technical assistance, i.e. tasks which help to achieve greater prosperity in society.

The process of technological support based on the information contained in patent documents started in 2002, when the “First Patent Seminar” was held, organized by FUNDATEC in the Bahía Blanca Regional Faculty of the National University of Technology in cooperation with WIPO. At the seminar, reference was made to the wealth of information contained in patent documents, and to the opportunities for solving business problems based on prior art searches of patent documents.

Since the Seminar was held, FUNDATEC has responded to requests for information searches on technologies based on patent documents through the service set up, which has provided solutions for different local and regional players, be they public (including the Municipality of Bahía Blanca) and privateentities (such as the Consortium of the Bahía Blanca Industrial Park and the Management Consortium of the Port of Bahía Blanca) entities, and also private entrepreneurs who view patent documents as a tool in the decision-making process.

Furthermore, the link established with WIPO, as part of the WIPO Patent Information Services, has provided significant support and has generated an immediate response to FUNDATEC’s requirements in the case of special searches.

With a view to the integration of the Patent Information Service, the National Industrial Property Institute of Argentina has made a collaborative contribution in the form of staff training and provides specialized advice.

Below is a list of some of the most important searches carried out since October 2002 and the impact the searches have on clients.

DATE

RECIPIENT
(INDIVIDUAL/INSTITUTION)

SEARCH THEME

AIM

February 16, 2004

LOCAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAHÍA BLANCA

TECHNOLOGIES IN USE TO BENEFIT FROM GEOTHERMIC ENERGY PRESENT IN LOCAL SOURCES

The search determined the methodology and alternative technologies existing in this field of technology, which currently allows evaluation of the possibility for use of local sources for the generation of heating in households experiencing shortages.

February 16, 2004

LOCAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BAHÍA BLANCA

TECHNOLOGIES USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF USED OIL BURNERS

The search determined the methodology and technologies existing in this field of technology, which currently allows evaluation of the use of residual oil for the generation of heating in households experiencing shortages.

October 31, 2003

ENTREPRENEUR

TECHNOLOGIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOMATERIALS ARISING FROM SUBPRODUCTS OF CEREALS

The search allowed identification of the leading enterprises in the development of materials arising from organic products and it emerges that technologies are used in this field of technology.

The search was carried out as part of the assessment of feasibility of an undertaking with these characteristics.

TECHNOLOGIES IN THE MONITORING OF PARTICULATES IN THE HANDLING OF SEEDS

The search allowed assessment of the technical feasibility of implementing these systems in the port zone.

May 10, 2003

EXECUTIVE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE. MUNICIPALITY OF BAHÍA BLANCA

TECHNOLOGIES FOR ELIMINATION OF PARTICULATES IN THE LOADING OF SEEDS

The search allowed assessment of the feasibility of implementing systems for elimination of particulate material in the port zone as a method of generating environmental improvements in the port sector.

February 5, 2003

MANAGEMENT CONSORTIUM OF THE PORT OF BAHÍA BLANCA

WATER INJECTION DREDGING (WID) SYSTEM

The search allowed information to be obtained on this technology used in port dredging.

October 10, 2002

ENTREPRENEUR

TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN CONTAINERS USED TO EXPORT FOOD

The search allowed the entrepreneur to redirect his investment project, opting for new and better technologies.

October 8, 2002

ENVIRONMENT SUBSECRETARIAT. MUNICIPALITY OF BAHÍA BLANCA

TECHNOLOGIES FOR COUNTING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE IN ENCLOSED SPACES

The search provided information used to determine the feasibility of implementing a project for this purpose.